This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by Jack Muldowney.
UPDATED July 2019
Below is our best effort to comprise a hefty THR-approved “List of Beer Bars of Chicago.” Mind you, there are certainly plenty of places in Chicago not on this list where you can get a decent beer. In fact, they’re all over the city, around nearly every corner. However this list is curated to those spots here in Chicago where not only is the variety impressive, but the staff is knowledgeable & the atmosphere is unmatched.
THE TOP 20
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The Bad Apple | 4300 N. Lincoln Ave. | Northcenter
Bangers & Lace | 1670 W. Division St. | Wicker Park
The Beer Temple | 3185 N. Elston Ave. | Avondale
Beermiscuous | 2812 N. Lincoln Ave. | Lakeview
Bitter Pops | 3345 N. Lincoln Ave. | Lakeview
Crown Liquors | 2821 N Milwaukee Ave. | Logan Square
Fountainhead | 1970 W. Montrose Ave. | Ravenswood
The Green Lady | 3328 N. Lincoln Ave. | Lakeview
Hopleaf | 5148 N. Clark St. | Andersonville
Jerry’s Andersonville | 5419 N. Clark St. | Andersonville
Kaiser Tiger | 1415 W. Randolph St. | West Loop
Links Taproom | 1559 N. Milwaukee Ave. | Wicker Park
Local Option | 1102 W. Webster Ave. | Lincoln Park
The Long Room | 1612 W. Irving Park Rd. | Lakeview
The Map Room | 1949 N. Hoyne Ave. | Bucktown
Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar | 960 W. 31st St. | Bridgeport
Monk’s Pub | 205 W. Lake St. | Loop
The Publican | 837 W. Fulton Market | West Loop
Sheffield’s | 3258 N. Sheffield Ave. | Lakeview
Sleeping Village | 3734 W. Belmont Ave. | Logan Square
THE BEST OF THE REST
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The Bar on Buena | 910 W. Buena Ave. | Buena Park
Centennial Crafted Beer + Eatery | 733 N. LaSalle Dr. | River North
Clark Street Ale House | 742 N. Clark St. | River North
Delilah’s | 2771 N. Lincoln Ave. | Lincoln Park
Dusek’s | 1227 W. 18th St. | Pilsen
Emporium Arcade – Logan Square | 2363 N Milwaukee Ave. | Logan Square
Emporium Arcade – Wicker Park | 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave. | Wicker Park
Fischman Public House | 4058 N Milwaukee Ave. | Jefferson Park
First Draft | 649 S Clark St. | South Loop
Four Moon Tavern | 1847 W. Roscoe St. | Roscoe Village
The Globe Pub | 1934 W. Irving Park Rd. | Northcenter
The Green Door | 678 N. Orleans St. | River North
Kuma’s Corner | 2900 W. Belmont Ave. | Avondale
Lincoln Hall | 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. | Lincoln Park
Longman & Eagle | 2657 N. Kedzie Ave.
| Logan SquareLucky Dorr | 1101 W. Waveland Ave. | Lakeview
Miller’s Pub | 134 S. Wabash Ave. | Loop
Old Town Pour House | 1419 N. Wells St. | Old Town
Owen & Engine | 2700 N. Western Ave. | Logan Square
Paddy Long’s | 1028 W. Diversey Pkwy. | Lakeview
Reggies Chicago | 2105 S. State St. | South Loop
Resi’s Bierstube | 2034 W. Irving Park Rd. | Northcenter
Schoolyard Tavern | 3258 N. Southport Ave. | Lakeview
Skylark | 2149 S. Halsted St. | Pilsen
Small Bar | 2956 N. Albany Ave. | Logan Square
Stocks & Blondes | 40 N. Wells St. | Loop
Tapster | 2027 W. North Ave. | Wicker Park
Twisted Spoke | 501 N. Ogden Ave. | West Town
Village Tap | 2055 W. Roscoe St. | Roscoe Village
CLOSED LOCATIONS
Bangers & Lace | Roscoe Village
Beer Bistro | West Loop
Howells & Hood | Streeterville
J.P. Burke’s | Lakeview
Publican Anker | Wicker Park
Quencher’s Saloon | Logan Square
Riverview Tavern | Roscoe Village
Villains Chicago | South Loop
This list is ever-changing, and we do our best to keep it updated. If you believe there are omissions (or inclusions that befuddle you), please let us know below.
Happy drinking.